*** The costume usually worn by peasant women in Navarre and
the Basque Provinces.

"She was wearing a very short skirt, below which her white silk
stockings--with more than one hole in them--and her dainty red morocco
shoes, fastened with flame-coloured ribbons, were clearly seen. She had
thrown her mantilla back, to show her shoulders, and a great bunch of
acacia that was thrust into her chemise. She had another acacia blossom
in the corner of her mouth, and she walked along, swaying her hips, like
a filly from the Cordova stud farm. In my country anybody who had seen
a woman dressed in that fashion would have crossed himself. At Seville
every man paid her some bold compliment on her appearance. She had
an answer for each and all, with her hand on her hip, as bold as the
thorough gipsy she was. At first I didn't like her looks, and I fell to
my work again. But she, like all women and cats, who won't come if you
call them, and do come if you don't call them, stopped short in front of
me, and spoke to me.

"'_Compadre_,' said she, in the Andalusian fashion, 'won't you give me
your chain for the keys of my strong box?'

"'It's for my priming-pin,' said I.

"'Your priming-pin!' she cried, with a laugh. 'Oho! I suppose the
gentleman makes lace, as he wants pins!'

"Everybody began to laugh, and I felt myself getting red in the face,
and couldn't hit on anything in answer.

"'Come, my love!' she began again, 'make me seven ells of lace for my